Strong solar eruptions could disrupt communications

Like hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning aren't enough. Now we have to deal with solar flares.

These eruptions on the sun's surface have increased in intensity over the past few days, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo.

Indeed, NOAA says: "Recent flares and other solar events are the strongest seen in four years."

That might spell trouble for radio and satellite telecommunications, as well as GPS systems. The flares blast Earth with magnetic energy that can damage the electrical grid.

Because these disruptions can wreak havoc with economies around the world, NOAA says its Space Prediction Center tries to project when the worst solar eruptions are forthcoming, much as the National Hurricane Center predicts tropical weather.

On the upside, the flares also can trigger spectacular aurora, the natural light display in the sky, most pronounced in the polar regions.